Teardrop trailer weight and long hauls

startedoutonburgundy

startedoutonburgundy

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Jan 19, 2021
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California
Hi, Considering getting a teardrop trailer for my 6 cyl TJ (2006), and keeping on the lightweight side for long trips. Looking at up to 1,300 lbs, and wondering if on a cross country (CA to NY and back) this is too much strain on the engine?

Any guidance is appreciated.
 
I pull a 1250 lb. trailer full of gear, food and beer when I go out hunting and it didn't really care for the added weight but it handled and ran OK, but I don't travel cross country to hunt.
 
startedoutonburgundy said:
Hi, Considering getting a teardrop trailer for my 6 cyl TJ (2006), and keeping on the lightweight side for long trips. Looking at up to 1,300 lbs, and wondering if on a cross country (CA to NY and back) this is too much strain on the engine?

Any guidance is appreciated.
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no way i would pull it across country. 30 or 40 miles on backroads maybe. short wheelbase and no weight of the wrangler is asking for trouble. i had a bass boat about the same weight your talking push a 1986 Suburban, i was almost stopped and hit the brakes to bring it to a stop, tires broke loose and pushed me into the car in front of me.
 
tr21triton is absolutely right. Your trailer should have electric brakes and you must install a controller on the Jeep. With no brakes I wouldn't tow anything as heavy as a teardrop.
 
Nothing special is needed to tow that tiny teardrop trailer, you will barely notice its presence. My pop-up tent trailer weighs 1278 lbs. unloaded but probably 1800 lbs. as I tow it and I have to occasionally crane my neck to see down through my mirror to make sure it's still there. Seriously. The TJ's max safe tow limit is 2000 lbs. so you'll have no problem, the 4.0 has more than enough power.

Electric trailer brakes definitely wouldn't be a bad idea but California does not require them until the trailer weighs 3,000 lbs. My pop-up trailer's brakes currently have a problem so I haven't used them in a while but my TJ has no problem stopping even on downhill mountain grades without them.

This is what I tow on a regular basis.

20181012_181433_resized.jpg
 
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Not trying to hyjack this thread but I’m thinking of getting a similar weight trailer. I’m about to regear my Jeep and was wondering if I should go a step lower in gearing to help? My setup is ax-15, 33” tires, I know 4.56 is generally the recommended ratio, but would 4.88 be better due to the trailer?

Also if anyone has any experience with the sunray 109 camper, message me please.
 
I converted a 5x8 cargo trailer into a camper and pull that all ready Florida. goes ok. Just sucks down the gas a lot faster.
 
DWR said:
Not trying to hyjack this thread but I’m thinking of getting a similar weight trailer. I’m about to regear my Jeep and was wondering if I should go a step lower in gearing to help? My setup is ax-15, 33” tires, I know 4.56 is generally the recommended ratio, but would 4.88 be better due to the trailer?

Also if anyone has any experience with the sunray 109 camper, message me please.
Click to expand...
4.56 is fine, the 4.0 has no problems at all with that small amount of weight. That same engine pulls up to 3500 lbs. in longer wheelbase Jeeps.
 
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